Erik ten Hag ‘confirms’ his Man Utd starting front four against Brighton in Prem opener… but is Ronaldo in it?

ERIK TEN HAG has already all but confirmed his starting front four to play Brighton in their opening Premier League fixtures.

The Seagulls are the visitors to Old Trafford, but the real question is: will Cristiano Ronaldo be back?

The Mega Agency

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Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to miss out from the starting line up[/caption]

AP

Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have been in fine form during pre-season[/caption]

Not if Ten Hag’s starting front four from Saturday’s friendly against Aston Villa is anything to go by, according to Manchester Evening News.

The Dutchman is said to have already all but decided to stick with the forwards that toured to Thailand and Australia.

The Red Devils are poised to line up with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford on the flanks, with Anthony Martial spearheading the attack and Bruno Fernandes playing just behind him.

The quartet have started three out of United’s four pre-season games all together.

Rashford is the only of the four not to start every game so far, with Anthony Elanga preferred in the win over Melbourne Victory.

But Ten Hag’s team selection so far seems to suggest they are the four who will be trusted with breaking down Graham Potter’s side on August 7.

Ronaldo could yet return to training in that time, but Ten Hag’s starting attackers appear to be set.

Especially with the form they have been in during pre-season.

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Martial looks a different player to the one that flopped on loan at Sevilla, with the Frenchman netting three goals in four games under Ten Hag.

Rashford also looks resurgent after his two pre-season strikes, and spoke of how Ten Hag’s demands for him to “be positive” have helped him rediscover his form.

Sancho too looks resurgent following an underwhelming first season since his £73million move from Borussia Dortmund.

Like Rashford, the England ace has netted twice in pre-season, with hope among Red Devils fans that he could enjoy a stellar campaign.

And finally Fernandes has looked good, linking up the play well, although his involvement against Brighton has never been in question.

The quartet have been at the heart of everything United did well on their tour to Thailand and Bangkok, and Ten Hag will be hoping they can carry that form into the season opener against the Seagulls.